Introduction:
The Hispanic Heritage Council's Music Academy is an afterschool program focuses in providing free musical instruction to underserved children, ages 12-17. Our program is entirely free for the students, with musical instruments, books, music and all relating class material provided free of charge. This program enriches our student’s cultural experience, while providing tools for the development of their social, academic, and professional life. The group will also perform together at up to 3-4 total events (Winter, Fall, Spring) throughout the city representing HHC during the school year.
Students will be provided with 2-hour weekly classes which will include team building, developing skills in musical theory, and practicing songs for future performances. In the unfortunate event that class cannot be held due to any number of reasons, students will be given online instructional materials so that they can continue their musical learning.
Music Education:
The program's objective is to provide a formal music education to children that lack the opportunities for proper music formation.
Equity:
The objective of the program is to fill the equity gaps some children in our community fall into. We believe that in a society in which the underserved quarter of the community has less opportunity of obtaining a college degree, it is essential to prepare children with tools that could not only aid them in achieving academic success, but tools that could potentially become a source of income. These tools can spark their curiosity and widen their horizons, can become a vehicle for healthy self-expression and ultimately will be an aid in their right to the pursuit of happiness.
Academic Success:
Our program strives to cultivate an environment conducive to academic success. Studies like Dr. Steven N. Kelly's, "Fine Arts-Related Instruction's Influence on Academic Success", have found a direct relationship between individuals who participated in school arts experiences and higher academic success. With this in mind, The HHC Music Academy will pay special attention to cultivating skills that are essential to music training and that can lead to academic success, such as confidence, discipline, patience, abstract and creative thinking, and perseverance.
Safe Learning Environment:
One of the fundamental objectives of this program is to provide a safe environment for self- expression and tolerance. The program will foster self-expression by incorporating and exploring elements of each child's cultural heritage and musical preferences in assignments and research projects. Throughout the year, the students will also have the opportunity to perform and study pieces from different ethnic backgrounds. This variety of pieces studied in class alongside the historical component, will be our vehicle to celebrate diversity, tolerance and respect through music. Additionally, the music ensemble component of the class will foment important social skills and tolerance as children will have the opportunity to collaborate with each other in achieving a common goal.
Parent involvement:
Parent involvement is crucial for the success of our students. We're in constant communication with our students' parents who take an active role in their children's music education. We require parents to keep track of their children's practice habits and make sure they dedicate 30 minutes of practice per day at minimum and complete any assigned homework.
Additionally, our program provides multiple opportunities to enhance family interaction and bonding to support the student's success. Throughout the year we encourage our students and their families to attend musical artists’ performances and concert series to develop a closer connection between music and the hearts and minds of our students. These concerts can not only serve inspirational for the students, but become a bonding opportunity for the students and their families as they can share in the student's interests within a nurturing environment. Furthermore, as our students progress in their musical ability, we encourage them to share what they've learned with their families in community performances, as a way for the student to train stage presence and to bond with their families.
Constituency:
We currently will serve any students in the Buffalo area that would like to enroll within the academy. Our classes will be held at The Belle Center & the Isaías González-Soto Public Library and ultimately at the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute. We extend the invitation to all interested candidates in Western New York, and we currently have a very diverse student roster in both ethnicity and socio- economic background. Our current and past students have come from the Buffalo Public & Charter schools.
Instrument Policy:
We lend the instruments to our students through the entire school year so they can practice at home. Our students parents sign an agreement to take care of the instruments in the understanding that the instrument belongs to the program and for enrollee use. We encourage that each student safekeep the instrument to prevent any liabilities.
Capacity:
We currently have the capacity to enroll 8 students with the potential to expand to 24 students divided into groups of 8. However, we do have the means to expand if the demand requires.
Class Details:
- Students will have 2-hour sessions each week.
- They will go through exercises such as:
- 10-minute team building to help their social-emotional development and teach life skills
- 50-minute session devoted to learning their desired instrument
- 10-minute session dedicated to developing their understanding of musical theory, number system, and performance practice
- 50-minute large-group practice to prepare students for future performances
- Students will perform at least 3-4 times for community and special events during the Spring/Fall/Winter to develop their self-esteem, confidence and professionalism when performing to large audiences.
Evaluation of Success:
We consider student retention, academic success, and concert attendance as measures for success.
Our goal is to have 90% student retention.
We don't track test grades of our students. However, we quiz our students regularly to make sure the entire class understands each class topic, and to ensure that all of our students maintain their ultimate performance level. We expect all students to fulfill the class requirements in order to perform satisfactorily at the concerts at the end of each semester. Students perform multiple ensemble pieces in each concert. We strive to produce a positive reaction from the students, with 100% student participation in our concerts.
Program Cost: Free
Our program is entirely free to the students, with the Hispanic Heritage Council providing musical instruments, books, music and all related class materials. For information and/or inquiry, contact hhc.music@hispanicheritagewny.org To participate, complete the following: Student/Parent Application